Method and apparatus for quick freezing and handling of comestibles



April 1, 1941- w. J. FINNl-:GAN 2.237.255

METHOD AND APPARATUS FQR QUICK FREEZING'AND HANDLING OF COHESTIBLES Filed lay 29, 1937 15 Sheets-Sheet l @www April'l, 1941. w, J, FlNlullig-LANA 2.237.255

METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING ODCOMESTIBLES ,Filed lay 29, 1957 l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .'llllll 15 SheetSSheet 3 W. J. FINNEGAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING` OF COMESTIBLES Filed lay 29, 1937 April l, 1941. w, 1 FlNNEGAN 2237255 METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING oF coMEs'rIBLEs Filed Hay 29, 1957 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 olelllalolal! April 1, 1941. w, J, FlNNEGAN 2.237.255 METHOD AND APPARATUS Fox QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING oF coMEsTIBLEs Fil-Bd lay 29, 1937 15 ShBtS-ShBt :I1 -NAV M1 T 1 nu IM METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING oF IYCVOMESTIBLES April 1, 1941. w. J. FINNEGAN Findlay 29, 4193':

15 Shemts---Sheei4 6 Ap 1, 1941. w. J. FINNEGAN 2237,255 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING OF GOMESTIBLES Filed may 29, i937 15 sheets-sheet 7 April 1, 1941. w. J. FINNEGAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICIK FREEZING AND HANDLING 0F COMESTIBLES 193'/ 15 sheets-sheet s Filed lay 29 April 1, 1941 w. J. FlNNEGAN 2.237.255 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING OF COMESTIBLES 15 sheets-sheet Filed gay 29, i957 Rmx April l, 1941. w. .1. FINNEGAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR QUICK FNEEZING AND HANDLING oF COMESTIBLES Filed may 29, 1937 15 Shee'cs--Sheeil l0 Il El AP 1, 1941- w. J. FINNEGAN 2,237,255 HETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING OF COMESTIBLES Filed lay 29, 1957 15 Sheets-Sheet ll .ilolololelalolo W. J. FlNNEGAN 15 Sheets-Sheefl 12 Filed May 29. 1937 April 1, 1941.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING' OF COMESTIBLES April 1, 1941. w. J. FINNEGAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLIG 0F COMESTIBLES 15 sheets-sheet is' Filed May 29. 1937 April 1, 1941. w, J, FlNNEGAN 2,237,255

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING 0F COMESTIBLES 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 Filed May 29, 1937 uhm.

um R. En um www @Arm April 1, 1941. w. J. FINNEGAN 2,237,255

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING 0F COMESTIBLES 15 sheets-sheet 15 Filed May 29. 1957 En Swwm Patented Apr. 1, 1941 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK FREEZING AND HANDLING oF COMES- William J. Finnegan, Los Angeles, Calif. Application May 29, 1937, Serial No. 145,620

23 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the method and apparatus for quick freezing and handling of comestibles, being directed to the further development of the method and apparatus, the forms of which are fully described and shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,925,033.

The primary object of the invention resides in improvements in the method and apparatus for rapid freezing, sterilizing and handling of food products and other materials subjected to a similar treatment with a view of rendering the method and process more efficient and the apparatus substantially portable.

It is known to all skilled in the art that continual agitation of comestibles while freezing progresses, greatly improves the quality and appearance of the product and substantially in- -creases the rate of heat transfer, therefore another object of the invention is to provide an eilicient means for continually agitating the material being treated while freezing progresses. s

In the preservation of comestibles in containers by rapid freezing it is necessary to provide an air or vacuum space in the top of the container to accommodate the expansion of the comestible which occurs during the freezing process. This air or vacuum rendering the appearance of a partly filled container, frequently develops a concentration of substances in the core or nal point of solidication having a lower freezing temperature than the optimum freezing temperature required to solidify the material being treated, and

vcauses a lack of uniform color and also a coarse texture in comestibles so treated. These conditions are generally known to be caused by the peculiar core formation and the relative slow freezing of the comestible. Furthermore this air orvacuum space materially retards heat trans- ,fer through the container surfaces contacted with such space since air or vacuum are very poor heat conductors. Moreover it is Well known that the thickness of a substance to be frozen determines the time required to completely solidify such substance with all other conditions equal, and the time required to freeze a substance varies -approximately as the square of the thickness of such substance, other factors remaining constant. Therefore another and important object of this invention is to provide an eicient means for contacting all of the heat transfer surfaces of the container with the comestible being treated also a means to cause the air or vacuum space in a container to form in the approximate center or final point of solidiiication of the material being treated, lthereby increasing the rate of heat transfer, rendering the appearance of a fully filled container, eliminating concentration in the core, developing uniform appearance and a flner frozen texture and reducing the thickness of material required to be frozen in a container to a minimum. All of which either improves the appearance or quality of the product so treated or renders the process more economical and ecient.

In the marketing of frozen comestibles it has been found desirable to pack certa'in kinds of fruit and vegetables also -fruit and vegetables juices as Well as piscatorial products such as fish, shrimp and lobsters in various shaped containers of several different sizes. Furthermore it is known that an improved quality is gained by individually freezing some fruits and vegetables before packing in a container. Since many frozen food packing concerns pack various kinds of frozen comestibles it is very desirable, economical and convenient for one quick freezing apparatus to handle the various shape and size containers without sacrificing eliciency. Therefoje another object of this invention is to provide a means for individually treating comestibles and handling various shape and size container. Thereby rendering the apparatus and method more flexible, economical and efdcient.

A further important objectof this invention is to provide a suitable apparatus and means'for reversing the cycle of heat transmission as required for sterilizing or heat treating comestibles and the like, thereby rendering the system and apparatus more adaptable to the different requirements necessary for treating various comestibles.

A further object of this invention is to provide important improvements in the method and apparatus described and shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,925,033 consisting in utilizing the external in addition to the internal surfaces of annular space.` occupied by lthe refrigerant for more effective heat transfer, arranging the apparatus in a horizontal position which is considered to bemore desirable for portability, providing pressure circulation and regulation of velocity of heat transferring vehicle, utilizing air and the combination of air and brine as heat transferring vehicles as is more suited for treating some comestibles. All i of which renders the method and apparatus more flexible and economical in operation;

` With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel process, method, form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings,

. gitudinal sectional views of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1A on an enlarged scale of one of the freezing channelsin the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 1A and shows an adaptor with container guides in place for the accommodation of relatively small round containers also illustrating one method of restricting the areas of the annular channels occupied by the refrigerant and secondary heat transferring vehicle;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-section View similar to Figure 3, of another freezing channel in the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 1A Aand shows an adaptor in place for the accommodation of rectangular containers;

Figures 5 and 5A are part sectional top plan views of a, refrigerating apparatus similar in, general construction and arrangement to the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 1A and illustrate the application of a screw type conveyor to this form of apparatus;

Figures 6 and 6A are fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional views of the apparatus shown in Figures 5 and 5A;

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken on line 1 1 of Figure 5A of one of the freezing channels in the apparatus shown in Figures 5 and 5A and illustrates the arrangement of screw conveyor and container guides for accommodation of relatively large round containers;

Figure`8 is an enlarged' cross-sectional view similar to Figure 7 of another freezing channel inthe apparatus shown in Figures 5 and 5A, and shows an adaptor in position for the accommodation of relatively small round containers;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 5, showing the containers in the freezing channel and in spaced relation on the screw conveyor;

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a container, partly broken away to illustrate normal freezing formations; l

Figure 11 is a View similar to Figure 10 and illustrates the result of freezing in the apparatus shown in Figures 5 and 6;

Figures 12 and 12A are fragmentary top plan views of another form of refrigerating apparatus showing arrangement of freezing tubes, refrigerant liquid recirculating accumulator, feeding and harvesting nozzles with hand operated harvesting device, brine storage tank with cover removed, and foundation base with eye-bolts for lifting the apparatus as required for portability;

Figures 13 and 13A are vertical longitudinal sectional views of the form of apparatus shown in Figures 12 and 12A and show the arrangement of the complete portable unit including the refrigerant compressor, refrigerant combined conofanother form of refrigerating apparatus showing an air-tight housing enclosing the freezing tubes, tray feeding and harvesting nozzle, by-pass air ducts on each end joining the housing and 'air lock chambers, refrigerant liquid recirculating accumulator and foundation base;

Figures 15 and 15A are vertical longitudinal sectional views of the form of apparatus shown in Figures `14 and 14A and illustrate the arrangement of the endless, open mesh belt conveyor, freezing channel air baille plates and air recircu- Figure 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line iG--i of Figure 14A of the form of apparatus shown in Figures 14 and l5 and i1- lustrates the general arrangement of housing, freezing channels, adaptors, belt conveyors, air precooling coils and trays for holding comestibles;

Figure 17 is a detail sectional view taken on line I'I--il of Figure 14 of one of the freezing channels shown in Figures 14 and 16 to better show the arrangement of adaptors, air bafiies, belt conveyor and the trap for holding the comestibles being frozen shown in spaced relation on the conveyor belt;

Figures 18 and 18A are part sectional top plan views of another form of refrigerating apparatus showing the arrangement of housing, relatively wide endless type open mesh metal belt conveyor, feeding and harvesting ends with harvesting tank covers removed, air delivery and return recirculating ducts and foundation supporting channel beams;

Figures 19 and 19A are vertical longitudinal sectional views of the form of apparatus shown in Figures 18 and 18A, illustrating the arrangement of the recirculating air delivery and return ducts, brine headers, brine laterals and sprays, endlessl conveyor with comestibles shown by dotted lines on the conveyor, brine return drain plates with swash bales, brine sump tank with return brine connection, foundation base and apparatus supports;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of another arrangement for feeding and harvesting trays or comestibles being treated in the form of apparatus yshown in Figures 14 and 15 and illustrates the use of the trays shown in Figuresv 24, 25, 26, and 27 for feeding and har- A vesting the trays on the same end of the appadenser and receiver, refrigerantstorage receiver and brine recirculating pump;

ratus;

Figure 21 is a verticalv longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2 I-2i of-Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the freezing channels of an apparatus similar to the form of apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, and illustrates the application and arrangement of rectangular freezing channels with adjacent restricted channel areas containing refrigerant coils in contact with the channel walls, also showing a rectangular container in position within the freezing channel;

Figure 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the freezing channels of lan apparatus similar to the form of apparatus shown in Figures 14 and l5, and illustrates the application and arrangement of rectangular freezing channels with adjacent restricted channel areas contacting refrigerant coils and metal fin surfaces, also showing a rectangular container in position within one freezing channel and individual comestiblessuch as berries placed directly on the belt conveyor in the adjacent freezing channel;

Figure 24 is a top plan view of a freezing tray used in the forms of apparatus shown in Figures 14, 1 5, 20 and 21;

Figure 25 is a side elevational view of ing tray shown in Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a top plan View of another type freezing tray usedin the form of apparatus shown in Figures 14, 15, 20 and 21;

Figure 27 is a side elevational view of the freezing tray shown in Figure 26; t

Figure 28 is a fragmentary top pian view of freezing trays used in the forms of apparatus shown in Figures 14 and 15, being arranged and the freez .shown in spaced relation; and

Figure 29 is a side elevational view of the freezing trays shown in Figure 28. f

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 comprises brine drain/tanks I and 2 preferably made of sheet steel of welded construction and welded to the freezing tubes 3, preferably made of steel tubing. The tubes have container feeding nozzles 4 and container harvesting nozzles 5. 'Ihe brine drain tanks l and 2 have communicating tanks 6 and 1 joining the brine storage tank 8 as required for suitable brine drain and return passage of the conveyor II. The freezing tubes 3 are fitted with container guides 9 on each side and may be xed to the freezing tubes in any durable and convenient manner, preferably by welding. The freezing tubes 3 are also fitted with a guide channel I on the bottom and secured to the tube in the longitudinal center and each' end by any convenient manner, preferably by screw. The guide channels I0 support and guide the endless link chain conveyors II which travel on idler sprockets I2. The idler sprockets are secured to the idler shaft I3 with set screws and keys in the usual manner. The shaft I3 is sup ported and runs in the bearings I4 and I5 located and secured on the side walls of the brine'drain tank I. On the harvesting end of the apparatus the conveyors are supported and driven by the sprockets I6 which are secured to the drive shaft I1 with set screws and keys. The drive shaft is supported and runs in bearings I8 and I9 which are located and fixed on the side walls of the brine drain tank 2. The conveyors are driven by shaft and flexible coupling 20 by any convenient source of power, preferably being direct connected to an electric motor through suitable speed reduction gears.

The freezing tubes 3' have apertures 2| for brine passage and apertures 22 and 23 for conveyor passage, Container feeding nozzles 4 are fitted with lower container guide 24 and side container guides 25, preferably welded in place. A section of the feeding nozzle is cut away at 26 to clearthe angularity of the containers positioned at this point. The harvesting nozzles are similarly tted with side container guides 21 and bottom guide 28 and equipped with drain header 29 and gravity drain pipe 30 as required to return the drip and condensation from the containers to the brine recirculating system. The freezing tubes 3 also have apertures 3| with brine eliminators 32 on the container feeding end and similar apertures 33 with brine eliminators 34 on the harvesting end. The

' eliminators are simple metal strips welded around the inner circumferentialsurface of the tube for changing the direction of the brine ow and forcing the brine out through the`apertures. -On the container feeding end, the freezing tubes 3 have a brine volume and velocity regulating collar 35 supported by screws to the angle iron 36 which is y preferably welded to the external circumferential collar 31 is arranged on the harvesting end with an'angle iron 38 similarly secured to the tube. The adjustable brine regulating collars35 and 31 are preferably made of relatively thin galvanized sheet iron. Each collar encircles lthe inner cir-4 cumference of the freezing tube with small sections of the collar passing through slots-in the tube as required for holding and adjusting by the screws. The regulation consists in simply decreasing or increasing the area of theannular brine fl'ow space 84 formed by the container or adaptor and freezing tube, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume and velocity of the brine through the annular brine flow space.

Refrigerant recirculating tubes 39 and 40 preferably made of steel tubing are welded to the freezing tubes 3 forming annular refrigerant recirculating spaces 4I and.42. The refrigerant recirculating tubes have gas outlets 43 and which discharge into the refrigerant liquid recirculating accumulator 45. The accumulator is fitted with refrigerant gas outlet 46, liquid surge baiile 41 with gas passage apertures 48, oil baffle 49 and refrigerant liquid recirculating pipe 50. Pipe 50 joins refrigerant liquid feeding "pipes 5I and 52 connecting into refrigerant liquid feeding headers 53 and 54 which have liquid feeding outlets 55 and 56 joining the refrigerant recirculating tubes 39 and 4l). All joints and connections may be made in any convenient and suitable manner, preferably by welding.

The brine recirculating tubes 51, preferably made of steel tubing and welded to the freezing tubes 3 as shown, form an annular brine flow space 58 around refrigerant recirculating tubes 39 and 40. The annular brine flow space 58 is tted ,with heat transferring fins 59 which contact the refrigerant recirculating tubes 39 and 40 and the brine circulating tube 51. The fins are preferably made and formed of corrugated galvanized iron and pressed into the annular spaces to insure good contact with the heat transferring surfaces. The brine circulating tubes have brine inlet connections 60 and 6I which are connected to the brine supply headers 62 and 63. The brine supply headers are connected to the brine recirculating pump discharge 64 and the brine recirculating pump 65 has'a brine suction connection 66 to the brine storage tank 8. Joints and connectio'ns may be made in any convenient and suitable manner, preferably by welding.

Brine drain tank I is fitted on top with an angle iron frame 68 Welded in position for the reception of the insulated cover 69. Brine drain tank 2 is similarly tted with an angle iron frame I0 and insulated cover 1I. All external surfaces of the apparatus subjected to low temperature are insulated as shown and required to prevent frost accumulation and excessive heat leakage.

The insulation 12 may be any suitable insulating material and applied in any convenient and suitable manner, preferably made of cork-board and built-up in two courses, secured together with wood skewers after being applied in hot asphalt, and have an external surface finish of troweled on waterproof asphalt mastic.

The freezing tube adaptor shown in Figure 3 consists of an external tube 14 andan internal tube 15 cut away on bottom and welded together forming the enclosure 13 which is filled with a good heat` conductor such as copper wool. The adaptor causes a restriction of area withinvthe freezing tube 3 so as to form an annular brine passage space 16 between the external adaptor tube 14 and the freezing tube 3, and a secondary tainer 80 and the adaptor's internal tube 15. The

.f adaptor has external centering lugs 18 on each side contacting the container guides 9. and supporting bottom guide lugs 8| on each side of and contacting the conveyor guide channel I0, also internal container centering guides 19 on each side and contacting the container 80. The adaptor has brine passage apertures in the longitudinal center corresponding with the brine passage apertures 2| in the freezing tube and apertures on each end corresponding with apertures 3| and 33. The space 13 is hermetically sealed around apertures and on each end. The adaptors may be constructed of any suitable material and assembled in any convenient and adequate manner, preferably made of aluminum or steel and of all welded construction. v

The freezing tube adaptor shown in Figure 4 consists of a tube 85, cut away on bottom as shown, joined internally with side walls 80 forming space 90 which is packed with a good heat conductor such as copper wool. The tube 85 forming the external surfaces of the adaptor has guide and supporting lugs 85a on each side which centers the adaptor in the freezing tube 3 thereby forms an annular brine flow space 84 between the freezing tube 3 and the adaptor tube 85. A secondary restricted brine passage space 81 is formed between the side walls 88, container 89 and internal surface of tube 85 by the side wall container guides 88 which extend the full length of the adaptor as required to center and guide the container 89 through the freezing channel on the conveyor Il. This adaptor is of similar material and construction as hereinbefore indicated for the adaptor shown in Figure 3. i

The apparatus supports and foundation com-l prise channel saddles 9| and 92 resting on suitable base plates 93 and 94. The saddle base plates are supported on suitable pipe stands 95 and 98 which join and are supported on the channel iron foundation base frame 91, 98 and 99. Tie braces and |0| furnish addition support for the stands 95 and 95. Subchannels |02 in conjunction with pipe stands |03 and angle iron base |04 furnish support and foundation for the brine sump tank 8 and recirculating brine pump 65. The foundation including supports may be constructed of any suitable material and joined in any suitable manner, preferably made of steel and joined by welding.

In the form of apparatus shown in Figures 5 to 11, it is intended to associate herewith the general form of apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 5, and to illustrate the application, advantages and changes required in the apparatus when the use of a worm screw conveyor is desired. The worm screw |05, preferably made of cold-rolled steel, is supported and runs in saddle bearings |00, |01 and |08, preferably made of lignum-vitae and secured in a channel iron housing |09 with 4steel dowels. The worm screw is driven by sprocket ||0 from any convenient source of power, prefe'rably by an electric motor through suitabler speed reduction gears. The worm screw shaft is supported and made brine tight where it passes through the end wall ofthe brine drain tank I by a suitable packing gland The inside face of the packing gland housing is tted with a split disk lateral motion collar ||2, the tongues of which fit into a groove in the shaft as required to care for the lateral motion of the shaft. A

drip gutter I3 is secured under the packing gland.

||| to catch drip from gland or frost accumulation and return same' to the brine recirculating system through the aperture H4. An adjustable container guide keeper Ill is arranged on top of the freezing tubes 3 at the harvesting end of the worm screw conveyor as required to hold the container anges in the worm groove, since it has been found that the force necessary to extrude the containers out of the harvesting nozzles causes the container flanges to lift out of the worm screw grooves at this point. The guide keeper ||5 has adjusting slots with screws I|1 and is supported by an angle iron which is preftube adaptor shown in Figure 8 is comprised of the fixed adaptor ||8 and the container and adaptor centering guides ||9 also a removable adaptor |23 which has metal wool filling |24 and fitted with container and adaptor centering guides |25. This adaptor is of the material and construction as the adaptor hereinbefore described and shown in Figure 3. 'I'he arrangement of the adaptors form the restricted brine ilow areas |20 between the top adaptor |23 and the freezing tube 3, |21 between the top adaptor |23 and the containerf |28 between the container and lower adaptor |20 and |29 between the lower adaptor and freezing tube 3. The adaptors shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8 are inserted into the freezing tube 3 through the harvesting nozzles 5 and held in position by set screws with lock nuts 82 and 83. The conveyor channel iron guide 9 and the bearing housing channel iron |09 joining the fixed adaptor I8 are secured at each end of the freezing tube 3 by any convenient and suitable means,

preferably with fiat head screws and lock nuts. The adaptors and conveyors including guide or supporting channels shown in Figures 1, 2, 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are removable from the apparatus and may be made interchangeable.

Figure 9 shows an example of the containers within the freezing tube and in space relation on the conveyor also illustrates the annular and restricted refrigerantl and brine now spaces. 51 indicates the brine recirculating tube, 58 the restricted annular brine flow space containing the fin heat transferring surfaces 59, 38 and 4l indicates the refrigerant recirculating tubes, 4| and 42 the restrictedannular refrigerant recirculating space and 3\ the freezing tube, It will be noted that the circulating brine in the restricted brine ow space |20 also passes between the endsI of the containers through the restricted high pressure automatic refrigerant float conculating pipe 50j enters the refrigerant liquid distributing pipes and 52, passing through into 4 the refrigerant liquid distributing headers Stand.

54 thence through the distributing stubs 55 and deci'msing the ow orifice surrounding the contai'ner and adaptor by adjusting the brine flow Ar`regulators 85 and 31, the brine then contacts the 58 into the annular refrigerant recirculating-and y evaporating spaces 4| and surroundingv the external surfaces of the freezing tube 8' and enclosed by the refrigerant recirculating .tubes 39y and 40. A multiple'transfer of heat simultaneously occurs vthrough the exposed surfaces ofthe freezing tubes 8, refrigerant recirculating tubes 89 and 40, extended metal n surfaces 59 and the brine recirculating tube 51 intothe refrigerant.

As this heat" is absorbegfby/t/he refrigerant violent boiling results and the internal mixture of gas and liquid travels rapidly through 'the annular spaces 4| and 42 and up through the outlets 43 and 44 into the accumulator. Due to this surging action a static head of liquid refrigerant is builtl up in the accumulator forcing the/liquid down through the refrigerant liquid recirculating pipe 50 for a repetition of the refrigerant recirculating cycle while the refrigerant gas separates from the liquid in the accumulator and passes through the apertures 48 in refrigerant baille 41 and out the refrigerant gas suction 46 to the refrigerant compressor for a repetition of the compression and evaporating cycle. Observe that the refrigerant liquid is continually recirculated over the heat transfer surfaces which removes the minute refrigerant gas bubbles from the surfaces during the earlier part of their formation, thereby eliminating the heat transfer resistance offered by a gas film and minimizing the resistance of the liquid nlm. In the operation of the brine recirculating system which functions inconjunction with the refrigerant recirculating system, the suction 66 of the brine recirculating pump 65 takes brine from the brine storage tank 8 and delivers the brine under pressure through the pump discharge 64 to the brine distributing headers 63 and 62. The brine is then equally distributed by the brine inlets 6| and 50 to each annular ,brineflow space which surrounds the external heat transfer surfaces o f the refrigerant recirculating tubes 39 and 40 and is enclosed by the brine recirculating tube 51. The brine passes through the annulareflow spaces 58 at a high velocity, contacting the external heat transfer surfaces of the refrigerant recirculating tubes series of brine ellminators 32 and 84 which changesithe direction of flow and forces the brine out through the apertures 3| and 33 and is collected in the brine drain tanks I and 2, returning by gravitational eifect through communicating l tanks 8V and 1 to the brine storage tank 8 for a repetition of the brine recirculating cycle. It .will be noted that point 81 indicates the brine high level and occurs when the apparatus is shut drained and stored in the brine storage tank 8.

down and all brine in the apparatus has been The containers 80 or 89 are inserted into the feeding nozzles which are set on an incline, the angularity of the nozzles forces the containers to slide down and into position on theconveyor or I 05, being guided through the nozzles by side guides 25 and bottom guide 24. operation consists in starting the conveyor, filling all freezing tubes with containers, stopping the conveyor, starting the refrigerating ccmpressor unit and brine recirculating pump. When the containers in the freezing tubes have been treated the conveyor is again started and continuous operation of feeding, freezing and har- .vesting of the containers occurs thereafter.

39 and 40, the heat transfer surfaces on both I The brine then enters the restricted brine flow spaces 16 and 11, 84 and 81, |20 and |2| or |28,

|21, |28 and |29 through the apertures 2|, passes through these restricted flow areas at a high velocity, contacting the heat transfer surfaces of the containers being treated, adaptor, container guide fins, conveyor guide channel and the internal heat surface of the freezing tube 3. It will be noted that the adaptors function as heat conductors since each adaptor has direct metal contact with the-freezing tube 3 through guides 9, 14, 85a, I I9 and |25 also through the conveyor guide or supporting channels 80 or |09. The guides and channels also act as heat conductors through direct contact with the freezing tube 3. The velocity of the brine passing through the restricted areas in the freezing tubes is controlled at each end of the freezing tube by increasing or When stopping of the freezing operations is desired; the conveyor is stopped until the last containers fed into they apparatus are frozen. then the refrigerating compressor unit and brine recirculating pump are stopped and the conveyor is again started and runs until all the containers have been harvested from the apparatus. This method of operation assures the restriction of|` area within the freezing tubes by the containers as required to maintain a suitable brine velocity over theheat transfer surfaces of the container, adaptor, extended fin surfaces and internal surface of the freezing tube. The term refrigerant as herein used refers to any heat transferring vehicle the gas is compressed and condensed to a liquid state for re-evaporation, such as: am-

monia, carbon dioxide, dichlorodiu'oromethane, dichlorotetrafluoromethane and the like. The term brine as herein used refers to a secondary heat transferring vehicle, such as: calcium chloride solutions, sodium chloride solutions, alcohol,

. ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and the like.

In tubes and the like it is known that the coeillcient of heat transfer varies as a function of the diameter multiplied by the velocity and by the density of the brine and divided by the absolute viscosity. This variance is due to the relative thickness of the film of almost stagnant liquid that is present on the surface of the metal. Brine and most liquids are relatively poor heat conductors. It is found, for example, that if a Afilm of water 0.0l\ inch thick is on one lside of a copper plate 1 sq. by 0.065 thick, it will decrease the rate of heat transfer from 40,000 B. t. u. to 300 B. t. u, hr. In the case of gas flow the stagnant film retards heat transfer in a similar but greater degree. A restriction in the cross-section of a tube formed so as to allow only a narrow brine flow over the tube surfaces materially increases the heat transfer from or to the surfaces being contacted with the brine; furthermore it is generally known that this. condition will show considerable higher rates of heat transfer for any given film thickness irrespective of the fact that the recirculation of refrigerant and brine at relatively high velocities through narrow channels is known to reduce the The initial 

